Waboose

Waboose Lake is a 232-acre lake located in north central Becker County within the upper reaches of the Otter Tail River watershed. It lies entirely within the boundaries of both the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and the White Earth Indian Reservation. The lake's shallow, eutrophic nature makes it susceptible to infrequent, partial winterkill. The last winterkill was documented in 2013-2014. Oxygen levels were documented to be low in 2017-2018, but a significant winterkill did not occur. Dead fish were reported in the spring of 2023, prompting a targeted fisheries survey to be conducted in May 2023 to assess the severity of the winterkill. Dead fish of all species were observed while surveying. Trap nets captured Northern Pike, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, Golden Shiner, and two species of bullhead. These are all species which are more tolerant to low oxygen conditions. White Sucker were abundant. Northern Pike were caught in good numbers with an average length of 19 inches. Waboose Lake appears to have experienced a significant winterkill for Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass during the 2022-2023 winter. Walleye and Bluegill were reintroduced during 2023. Angling opportunities for Northern Pike are still available, but it will take a few years to have quality fishing for other species.

Waboose is a small, shallow, moderately fertile hardwater lake located in north central Becker County within the upper reaches of the Otter Tail River watershed. Waboose Lake and its immediate watershed are contained entirely within the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, which maintains its relatively undisturbed character. Water leaving Waboose flows west to Lower Egg Lake, then south via the Egg River to Flat Lake, eastward to the Otter Tail River, southwest to the Red River and eventually north to Hudson Bay. A moderate winterkill was observed in Waboose Lake in 2013-2014. Oxygen levels were also documented to be low in 2017-2018, but adequate fish survival occurred as documented by this survey conducted in summer 2022. Walleye abundance was higher than the 2017 survey, with fish averaging almost 20 inches long. Although Northern Pike abundance has declined since the record high observed in 2017, pike numbers are still high. Pike had an average length of 21 inches. Black Crappie abundance increased compared to the 2017 survey, with fish primarily being just shy of 10 inches long. Similar to Black Crappie, Bluegill numbers also increased compared to 2017. Bluegill were found to be primarily 5 to 7 inches long. Additional fish species observed were Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, White Sucker, bullheads, and Pumpkinseed. The survey completed in 2022 suggests that Waboose Lake continues to recover from the winterkill observed in 2013-2014. While Northern Pike and Walleye populations are beginning to stabilize, the Bluegill and Black Crappie populations are still maturing. If no winterkill is observed in the future, the lake should provide quality fishing opportunities.

Waboose is a small, shallow, moderately fertile hardwater lake located in north central Becker County within the upper reaches of the Otter Tail River watershed. Waboose Lake and its immediate watershed are contained entirely within the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, which maintains its relatively undisturbed character. Water leaving Waboose flows west to Lower Egg Lake, then south via the Egg River to Flat Lake, eastward to the Otter Tail River, southwest to the Red River and eventually north to Hudson Bay. A moderate winterkill was observied in Waboose Lake in 2013-2014. This was the first standard survey since that event and it was conducted on 06/4/2017 using standard gill nets and trap nets. At the time of the 2017 assessment, the fish population in Waboose Lake was dominated by Northern Pike. Catch rates were at a historical high, with mean length of 21.0 inches. Walleye catch rates were slightly higher than those observed in 2012, yet below the historical average for Waboose Lake. Walleyes sampled ranged from 10.9 to 24.8 inches, with a mean length of 14.8 inches. Walleyes are stocked in Waboose Lake, and no natural reproduction is believed to occur. Surprisingly, Black Crappie abundance was similar to the survey in 2012, with fish ranging from 5.8 to 8.0 inches, with a mean length of 6.9 inches. The Bluegill population appears lower than that in 2012, yet the catch rate was above Waboose Lake's historical average. Other fish species sampled in Waboose Lake include Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. Dissolved oxygen levels in Waboose Lake were critically low in late winter 2017-2018, and it is likely that Waboose Lake will experience some level of winterkill. Detroit Lakes Area Fisheries will assess the severity of winterkill in spring, 2018 and work to reestablish a fishery if the winterkill was severe.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Bluegill in Waboose. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Waboose. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Waboose has a maximum depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Waboose is from 2022.

No invasive species are on record for Waboose in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.